today is the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that plunged the united states into the longest war in our history. >> there are events today commemmorating the attacks in new york city and in southwest pennsylvania as well as at the pentagon. melanie alnwick has more on today's developments. >> reporter: after last euro's 10th anniversary, many people this year's commemmorations have reached a turning point, becoming less political and more personal. prayer services at washington national cathedral, remembrances in the city of leesburg and at the prince george's plaza community cent enter hyattsville as well as service projects on freedom plaza and more. forty lanterns lit up the night in shampgzville, pep pen. thousands gathered -- in shanksville, pennsylvania. thousands gathered to remember those who lost their lives taking down flight to d.c. leon pan eight also visited the shanksville memorial monday where he toured the wall of names. officials hope by 2014 they will finish a more complete remembrance space scientist commemmoration ceremony will be held at the 9-11 memorial